Port City Colombo, a visionary Special Economic Zone (SEZ) focused on the export of modern services, recently represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Business Forum 2024 held in Apia, Samoa, from October 23-24. As a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Port City Colombo engaged in discussions on sustainable growth with global business leaders and Heads of Government, coinciding with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024.
CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare led the discussions at Roundtable 01, titled ‘Skills Migration, Regional Collaboration.’ He addressed the brain drain challenges facing Sri Lanka and Pacific Island nations, advocating for Small Island Developing States to integrate further into the global value chain. Aluwihare highlighted Port City Colombo’s initiatives, such as its progressive regulatory framework, which facilitates foreign earnings, provides 0% personal income tax, grants preferential employment visas for up to five years, and places no restrictions on employed expatriates.
Aluwihare also participated in Roundtable 07, ‘Building Resilient Infrastructure,’ emphasizing the need for public-private partnerships (PPP) to bridge financing gaps in infrastructure development. Port City Colombo then joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative, featuring King Charles III, showcasing how the private sector collaborates with governments to support global climate and sustainability goals.
The forum, themed ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,’ addressed issues including access to finance, tech advancement, reducing trade barriers, workforce transformation, and sustainable resilience, focusing on the unique needs of Commonwealth Small Island Developing States.